CPE Catalog & Events
Surgent's Work-Life Balance: Maximizing Productivity and Understanding Related Tax Issues
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
Discuss how productivity strategies may improve work-life balance Understand the state tax consequences that may arise when working from home Identify and discuss challenges unique to financial professionals Review how some organizations are providing support to improve work-life balance Explore the role of alternative work arrangements Examine challenges unique to auditors versus tax professionals A comparison of work-life balance between public and industry accountants How work-family conflict varies among financial professionals Recommendations for improving work-life balance
Surgent's Form 1040 Return Review Boot Camp for New and Experienced Reviewers
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Virtual
8.00 Credits
Review an error-prone "staff-prepared" Form 1040 from client-provided information. Where do you start? Get to know your client and ask the questions Several new reporting issues for the reviewer to consider, including the main credit provisions as enacted under the American Rescue Plan What are common errors preparers make and what are the areas generating malpractice claims? The importance of engagement letters, questionnaires, and §7216 permission statement Initial administrative groundwork Identifying organizing issues in the tax return to be reviewed Avoiding “willful blindness.” Handling ethical and moral dilemmas Efficient review of certain advanced issues for income, adjustments, deductions, and credits Effective procedures for delinquent clients, filing past-due tax returns First-time client issues requiring extra scrutiny Multiple checklists of efficient procedures to identify potential issues on a 1040 return Listing of schedules for staff to prepare to make a review easier, including basis issues for 1040 clients Reconciling time pressure with thoroughness and quality control Professionals acting professionally
Surgent's Preparing C Corporation Tax Returns for New Staff and Paraprofessionals
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Virtual
8.00 Credits
Preparation of a reasonably complicated Form 1120, “U.S. Corporate Income Tax Return,” from trial balance to completed return The importance of Schedule M-1, including adjustments in reconciling book income to tax income and items staff may look for on all business returns New tax-planning strategies for depreciation deductions, including changes to §179 and first-year depreciation under §168(k) as a result of new tax legislation Methods of accounting In-depth analysis of Form 4797 dealing with depreciation recapture Deductible expenses, including rules on meals and entertainment Section 163(j) Computation of tax liability Overview of common business deductions – deductibility and Schedule M-1 How to practically handle uniform capitalization and inventory accounting for a small manufacturing concern And more!
Ethics: How to Run Your Business Well
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The five principles of ethical intelligenceHow to make the right decisions in a range of challenging situationsThe fundamental ethical principal, "Do No Harm"
Futuristic Audit Trends: The Future is Now
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Virtual
1.00 Credits
Cloud technology, AI, Machine Learning and Blockchain Cloud Advisory services Utilization of remote technology and technologic innovations to create more efficient engagements Next steps for audit firms to avoid being disrupted
Corporate Transparency Act Developments
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Background of the Corporate Transparency ActBeneficial Ownership Information Reporting (BOIR) Rule Entities required to report.Reporting requirements imposed by the CTADue dates of reportsInformation needed to satisfy the BOIRImpact of failure to reportHow to submit a reportCourt rulings on CTA’s unconstitutionalityImplications to entities as a result of the ruling in NSB.Potential reporting requirements due to FinCen’s proposed rulemaking with respect to non-financed purchases of residential real estate and gratuitous transfers.
Retaining Talent in a Competitive Marketplace
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:Decision Making TheoryCompensation & Employee SatisfactionWhat benefits do employees care about?Retirement Plan BasicsHealth Insurance BasicsDisability Insurance BasicsLife Insurance BasicsFringe BenefitsSumming It Up
Risk Assessment Under SAS No. 145: The Key to Audit Quality?
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The topics that will be covered in this class include:New concepts due to the issuance of SAS No. 145Revised requirement to separately assess inherent risk and control riskA new definition of significant risk New emphasis on IT controls and risk of material misstatementNew guidance on maintaining professional skepticismRevised requirements to evaluate the design of certain controlsRevised requirements regarding audit documentationNew guidance on scalability
Enterprise-Wide Risk Management in Accounting and Finance
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Enterprise-wide risk management best practices for identifying, evaluating, and determining how to respond to relevant risks.The importance of risk and uncertainty disclosures in the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements, including evolving risks with cybersecurity and ESG.Coordinating risk management efforts, including the required involvement of corporate governance.How to embed risk management into day-to-day accounting and finance activities.
The Ethical Management of Conflict
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics covered in this class include:Professionalism, Conflict and EthicsSources and approaches to conflictManaging Conflict from the Inside: Awareness of human tendencies, human emotions, and gossipGuidelines for managing conflict collaboratively
The Leadership Skills of Tomorrow: Delegate and Listen
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major subjects that will be covered in this course include:Three levels of listeningStrategies to remain focusedBuilding trust through listeningTactics to practice the Titanium RuleDelegating with confidenceEstablishing an accountability system
Generative AI in Practice-Boost Efficiency and Profitability
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Implementing AI for accounting automationEnhancing auditing processes with AI toolsAI applications in tax complianceLeveraging AI for business advisory services
Surgent's Home Office Rules
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
Calculating the home office deduction Actual expense method Simplified expense method Definition of a home for purposes of the home office deduction Whether working-from-home employees can claim a home office deduction What is a “separate, identifiable space?” The “regularly and exclusively used” rule Defining a “principal place of business” Meeting clients, patients, and customers More than one trade or business Special rules that apply to daycare providers Separate, free-standing structures Depreciating the home
Surgent's Ethical Considerations for the CPA
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
Examine the CPA's role in today's economy Compare similarities and differences between individual and business ethics Explore the link between ethics, integrity and scruples Discuss the basic attributes of ethics and professional conduct Review the history of the CPA profession and the CPA's requirement to adhere to ethics policies and codes of conduct Review the AICPA's Code of Professional Conduct and a CPA's responsibilities to the public, clients and colleagues Discuss the common rules and statutes faced daily in the CPA profession. Case studies may also be utilized to present potential ethical dilemmas CPAs may face during their careers Review CPA Independence violations by current legal case examples
Preparation, Compilation, and Review Engagements: Update and Review
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
Overview of preparation, compilation and review guidance Accounting and reporting issues Current practice issues Common deficiencies in peer reviews Current and future standard-setting projects
The CFO Who Went to Prison
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this class include:The importance of valuesIdentifying successEthical dilemmasMitigation strategiesCreating tools to help make better decisionsPersonal accountability strategies
Surgent's Getting Ready for Busy Season: Key Changes Every Tax Practitioner Should Know
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation Comprehensive coverage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and SECURE Act 2.0 A tour of the most recent changes starting from gross income and ending with alternative minimum tax (AMT) and selected credits including the latest IRS guidance on recent tax legislation Hot developments affecting the upcoming tax season Review of new laws and changes in old forms to provide a familiarity for the upcoming tax season Key new tax and practice developments and how they impact the current-year tax forms for individuals
ChatGPT and Advanced Policy Manual Development for ACCTs
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:Fundamentals of accounting policy manuals in traditional and AI contextsThe PRIME Method framework for AI-assisted policy developmentStrategic implementation of AI tools including ChatGPT, Claude, and CopilotInternal control and risk management policy creationAI and generative AI usage policies for accounting firmsSustainability and ESG reporting policy frameworksPredictive analytics and forecasting policy developmentRegulatory compliance considerations in AI-generated policies
Understanding Internal Control Constructs
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Virtual
4.00 Credits
The major topics covered in this course include:Underlying concepts of internal controlThe importance of control measure interdependency
Criminal Tax: How CPAs Bring Value to Defense Attorneys
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Virtual
2.00 Credits
The major topics that will be covered in this course include:The common weaknesses in a criminal tax investigation.The key documents to review (In a sea of thousands of documents).Crafting questions to recommend in court proceeding.
